Web-controlling mechanism.



I. A. HUNTING. WEB CONTROLLING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED 0051.28, 1909.

1,13,142. Patented July 14, 1914,

4 SHEET$SHEET l.

WIT/v 8858. 55 1 W ATTORNEY I. A. HUNTING. WEB CONTROLLING MECHANISM. APPLICATION FILED 0012a, 1909.

1,103,142 Patented July 14, 1914,

4 SHBETSSHEET 2.

' Q 5 mom/Er I. A. HUNTING.

WEB CONTROLLING MECHANISM.

I APPLICATION FILED 00'1.28, 1909. 1,1U3J4Q Patented July 14, 1914,

4 SHBETS-SHEET 3.

I. A. HUNTING. WEB CONTROLLING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 23, 1909.

1,103 142, Patented July 14, 1914.

4 SHEET$-SHEIT4.

INVENTOR TED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IRVING A. HUNTING; or PLAINFIELD, NEW JERSEY, AssIGNoR 'ro wrLLiss. MORSE, or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

WEB-CONTROLLING MECHANISM. I

To'aZZ whom it may concern I Be it known that I, IRVING A. HUNT NG, a citizen of the United States, residing at Plainfield, in the county of Union and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Web-Controlling Mechanisms, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to improvements in mechanisms for controlling the tension of a web or continuous strip or sheet of material, such as paper or textile fabric; and an object of'my invention is to provide a mechanism of the character described which will be comparatively simple in construction, whichmay be applied to" machines now in common use readily and at a relatively low initial cost and which will be quick in action and efficient in use. 7

In machines operating upon-a web of material, it is generally necessary to keep the web under tension and in many casesit is most desirable to maintain this tension uniform.. The web commonly leads from a roll of the material and is drawn therefrom by the pull of the devices which form apart of the printing press or other machine the function of which is to perform certain operations on the web. This pull causes the roll to turn and to unwind the web; and the turning movement of the roll is generally resisted by a 'brake, whereby the web is put under a tension which maybe varied by adjusting the brake mechanism. In the normal operation of the] machine operating upon the web, the roll from off which it is drawn becomes gradually smaller in diameter "and, for the same adjustment of the brake mechanism, thetension on the web" graduallyfincreases. To maintain. the ten} sion uniform, the brake mechanism must be adpisted and,-'1n accordance-.W th my 1n 'vention,- this adjustment is made automatically; lhe web breaks over or is led over 'a wel' -s1ip'porting bar which is spring-con trolled and upon which the. web exerts a pressure varying with the tensionto which the webflis'for the moment subjectedl fThe spring-controlled web-supporting bar is connected through a clutch with devices which control the brake mechanism -and the move mfcn of'the web-supporting barthrows the Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filedOctober 28, 1909.

Patented July 14, 1914. Serial No. 525,130.

clutch into and out of gear or mesh with driving mechanism which actuates the clutch and through the latter operates the devices which vary the adjustment of the brake mechanism and thereby the frictional moment acting upon the shaft carrying the roll of material from which the web is unwound.

In machines of the class hereinbefore re- I ferred to, it is found that the tension acting upon one side or lateral edge will be now greater, now less than the tension acting upon the opposite side or lateral'cdge of the web. In order to maintain the tension on these lateral edges equal, the websupporting bar is mounted so that its ends may give way or yield, as by supporting the bearings for these ends upon springs or by giving the ends play in their bearings and mounting the-bar upon a fulcrum intermediate its ends so that it may tilt or see-sa the loose fit of the ends in their bearings permitting this Vibratory movement of the Other featuresof my invention will be pointed out. hereinafter in the description and claims which follow.

In the drawings illustrating the principle of my invention and the best mode now tail showing in front elevation the frictioncontrolling nut; Fig. 4 is a section on theline BB of Fig, 3 Fig. 5 is a detail show .ing'in elevation the connection between a link-rod and the clutchcontrolling; bellcrank lever; Fig. .6 is asection on the line (I -C 01 Fig. 5; Fig.7 is a detailshowing the web-supporting bar in plan; Fig. 8 is a detail showing the webesupporting bar in elevation; Fig. .9 is a section on the line D'--D ofFig.,-1;Fig. lO-is a detail showfied form illustrated in side elevation in Fig. 11.

Briefly stated, my'invention. is carried out in the following manner: Upon a roll-suping-the loose fit of the ends of the web- 7 supporting bar in the bearings; Fig. 11 is a side elevation of a modified form of my' invention; andFig.,12 is a detail in section of the friction clutch used in the ,modifastened a hand-wheel j.

porting shaft is mounted a brake-wheel against which press the frictional faces of two swinging brake-arms the free ends of which are held at a greater or less distance apart by means of a rotatable threaded bar upon which is mounted a nut. Upon a shaft which turns this bar is slidably held, as by a spline, a clutch member which may be thrown alternately into engagement, now with one, now with the other of two oppositely-rotating members of a driving mechanism, whereby the brake-controlling bar referred to isturned now in one direction to increase the friction, now in the opposite direction to lessen the friction acting upon the face of the brake-pulley. The reciprocating movement of the clutch member is caused by a like movement of a web-supporting member which is mounted free to respond to variations in the tension of the web passing over it.

'I-Iaving thus briefly described my invention, I shall now proceed to describe the same at length and in connection with the "accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters indicate like parts.

In the upright or standard care mounted, one above theother, the roll-holding shafts 19 upon each of which is mounted or carried a roll a of the material to be printed, as paper. Upon one end of each rotary shaft b is mounted a friction-pulley (1 formed with a peripheral or circumferential groove 6 in its rim-face. The friction-pulleys d turn or rotate with their respective shafts b. Mounted in the standard 'a (Fig. 2) is a threaded post or stud-bolt f with the threads 9 of which engage the threads formed on the inner wall of a bushing or sleeve h one end of which is formed with an annular flange z' and to-the other end of which is Between themner end of the latter and the flange i of the 6O gated recess 2 through which extends the sleeve h are mounted the upper ends of the brake-shoes k, on, so that these brake-shoes can swing on the stud-bolt or 0st f. Further, by turning the hand-wheel y', these brake-shoes may be moved lengthwise of threaded post f. When the brake-shoes are in engagement with the walls of their respective grooves e in the friction-pulleys d, turning the hand-wheels 7' will cause lengthwis movement of the roll-holding shafts b. and thereby the rolls 0 may be adjusted transversely of the printing-press. In the lower end of each brake-shoe there is formed a hole 12, which communicates with a recess 0 of-hemispherical shape or form; and in the lower end of each brake-shoe m there is formed an'openended slot or elon- .outer end of a brake controlling bar q the inner end of which is formed with a hemispherical knob or boss 7' that fits in the recess ,0 in the lower end of the brake-shoelc.

The bar 9 passes through the hole a in the latter. The outer end of the bar 9 is threaded (Fig. 4) and upon it is mounted the easing 8 formed with a central bore or recess 25 the wall of which is faced or polygonal in transverse section and in which is slidably fitted a nut u. The latter turns with the casing s and is formed with a centlal screwthre'aded hole .1) with the threads of which engage th threads on the outer end of the bar, 9. Between the nut u and the bottom or inner end of the chamber or recess t is interposed a coil-spring to. To the outer or front face of the casing s is fastened by screws 00 a small plate or a cap cover '0 which serves to close the outer end of, the

chamber 25 and to prevent the nut 14 and spring w from dropping out of the same, when the nut is disengaged from the bar 1. By incasing the coil spring to in the casing s, it is protected from deformation and the construction at this point is made more compact. The coil spring w permits the brakecontrolling nut s to yield and thereby to maintain the friction on the pulley, d con-- ,stant,, despite slight variations in its diameter or like cause tending to change the de gre of friction for any given adjustment of the casing s. a e In the standards .or upright frame-members z is rotatabl v mounted a rock-shaft 2 formed at one en with the rocker-arms 3, 4

and provided near its middle with a rockerarm 5 the position of which may be changed or accurately adjusted after loosenin the set-screw 6 (Fig. 7). Mounted loose y or free to swing on the rock-shaft 2as an axis are the hanger-arms 7 the outer end of each of which is formed with a hole 8 adapted to receive one end of a web-supporting bar 9. The ends of the latter have a loose fit in the holes 8, whereby the web-supporting bar 9 .is permitted to tilt, as is indicated in Fig.

10. The outer or free end of the rocker-arm 5 is formed with a recess'or notch 10 in which fits the lower edge of the bar 9 near its mid-point. To the standard s01 side frame-member a (Fig. 1) 'is fastened a bracket 11 formed with a' threaded hole 12 in which is screwed the adjusting bushing 13. To the rocker-arm 3 is pivotally fastened' the upper end of a spring-supporting plunger-rodl the, lower end of which is w free and extends through the hole 12 and the hollow or tubular tensmn-adjusting bushing 13. On the plunger-rod 14 is mounted a coil/spring 15 the lower end of which bears against the upper end of the bushing 13 and the upper end of which bears against a shoulder 16 formed on the'upper end of the lunger-rod 14. By turning the tension-adusting bushing 13, the tension of the 0011 s ring'15 may be varied, as desired. It is obvious that the latter tends to press u wardly the rocker-arms 3 and 5. To t e rocker-arm 4 is pivotally fastened the upper end of a connecting-rod or pitman 17 the lower end of which is formed with an en-- or detent 51 the other end of which is fastened to the standard 2.

largement or boss 18. The latter is, formed 5 with a slot 19 the upper wall or top of which is formed with a cavity or recess 20 and the lower wall or bottom of which is formed with a hole 21 the outer end of which is closed by the screw-plug 22. In the slot 19 my carries astud-bolt 24 formed with the head 25 at one end and threaded at the. other end to receive a nut 26. In thesocket 20 is mounted a coil spring 27 the lower end of which bears upon the top of the slide-block or box 23; and against the bottom of the latter presses a coil spring 28 the lower end of which is supported by the screw-plug 22. Coupled by a universal joint 29 to the inner end of-the friction-controlling rod or bar 9 is a sleeve 30 keyed to one end of a shaft 31 the other endof which is coupled by a universal joint 32 to the outer end of a shaft 33 journaled in a pillow-block 34 and carrying at its inner end (Fig. 9') a bevelgear 35 and a clutch-disk 36. The latter is keyed to the shaft 33- and is, therefore, free to move lengthwise thereof,whileit is compelled to rotate therewith; but the bevel- 30 gear 35 is loose or idle on the shaft 33 and 1s, therefore, free to turn independentlythereof. Journale'din theIpillow-block 37 and mounted in line with the shaft 33 is a driving shaft 38 upon the inner end of which is firmly mounted a bevel-gear 39. The bevel-gears 35, 39 are each formed on the inner face of its hub 40 with clutch-teeth '41 adapted to engage or mesh with the teeth 42 on theopposed face of the clutch-disk 36 40 (Fig. 9). In the side frame-member 2 there is mounted a stub-shaft 43 upon which rotates idly the intermediate bevel-gear 44 which mesheswith both the bevel-gears 35, 39. The driving shaft 38 is actuated by any 5 suitable source of powerdepending upon the exigencies of the particular machine to which my new web-controlling mechanism may be applied; and 1f the best arrangement of the parts so demands, the driving shaft 38 maybe actuated by the mechanism which drives the machine or printing-press.

When the clutch-disk is in engagement with the. fast bevel-gear 39, the shaft 33 will be driven in the same direction as the driving shaft 38 is rotating, while the shaft 33 will be driven in the. opposite direction, when the clutch-disk 36 is in engagement with the loose, bevel-gear 35 as will be perfectly ob-.

vious from a study of Fig. 9. 6'0 Pivoted on the standard 2 is a bell-crank lever 45 the free end of one arm 46 of which carriesa stud 47 which enters a circumferential groove 48 centrally disposed in the clutch-disk 36. The other arm 49 of the bell-crank lever 45 is fastened by the nut 26 is slidably fitted the box or casing 23 which gages a stud 47 carried by the free end of a rocker-arm 55 fast on the rock-shaft 54 to the stud-bolt 24 and is formed at its free outer end with a notch 50 in which is adapted to engage the free end of a spring-latch In the modified form shown in Figs. 11

and 12, a friction clutch is shown. The 1 clutch-block 52 is formed at each end with a friction-cone 53 and at its central part with a circumferential groove 48 in which enjournaled in the standards 2. Upon the inner end of the driving shaft 38 is mounted i fast a bevel-gear 56 formed with a recess 57;

and mounted loose or to turn idly upon the inner end of the shaft 33 is a bevel-gear 58 formed with a similar recess 57. The bevelgears 56., 58 are directly opposite each other and in mesh with the intermediate bevelgear 44. Obviously, when the fast bevelgear56 is in frictional engagement with the opposed friction-cone 53, the shaft 33 will turn in the same direction as does the driving shaft 38, while the reverse will be the case when the idle bevel-gear 58 is in frictional engagement with the other frictioncone 53, which is opposed to it. The clutch block is keyed to the inner end of the shaft 33 in a manner entirely similar to that in which the clutch-disk 36 is mounted. Fast 'upon the rock-shaft 54 is another rockerarm 59 to the-outer end of which is pivotally connected a spring-supporting plunger-rod 14.the free upper end of which extends into a hollow tension-adjusting bushing 13 mounted in a hole 12 in a bracket 11 fastened to the standard 2. The coil spring 15 is mounted on the plunger-rod 14 between the shoulder 16 formed thereon and the lower end of the bushing 13. Upon the rock shaft 54 is firmly mounted a pair of rockerarms 60, of which only one is shown in the drawings. These rocker arms 60 carry a roll 61 which is mounted free to turn therein. Obviously, the coil spring 15 tends to press downwardly the rocker-arm 59 and any upward movement of the rocker-arms 60 due to the pressure of the web upon the roll 61 will be made against the tension of the spring 15.

Rocking of the shaft 54 will cause a swinging oro-scillation of the rocker-arm 55 and, through the latter and its Stud 47 will result in the reciprocation or back-and-forth sliding movement of the clutch-block 52 on the shaft 33. p

In each of the frame-members a, of which only one is shown in the drawings, is bored a hole a in which is screwed an exteriorlythreaded tubular bushing63 into the bore of which extends the lower end of one of a pair of spring-controlled plunger-rods '64. In

the upper ends of these plunger-rods 64 is journaled a roll 65 and each of them is formed with a shoulder 66 between which and the upper end of the bushing 63 is interposed a coil spring 67. The latter allows the plunger 64 to yield and affords a yielding mounting for the roll 65, so that the latter may tilt and be depressed more at one end than at the other.

In the operation of the mechanism shown in Figs. 1 to 10, both inclusive, the brake-shoes is, m may be released from each other by turning the hollow casing s, which will, when sufficiently loosened, permit the friction-controlling bar 9 to fall to the position shown in the upper half of Fig. 1, the ball-and-socket joint at 1*, 0 permitting the bar 9 to move freely in the brake-shoe 7c and the open-ended s'lot p allowing the bar 9 to fall free of the brake-shoe m. The latter may now be swung upwardly against the stop-lug 68, as shown in the upper half of Fig. 1. so as to allow a roll a to be mounted thereon, after which it is replaced in its bearings. The web X is led from the roll 0 over the web-supporting bar 9 andv under the roll 69 and thence to the printing press or other machine which is to operate upon the web. In the upper half of figure, the roll 0 is shown as just placed in position and the web hangs loosely, as before tension is applied thereto. After the brake-arms or brake-shoes, is, m have been clasped around the brake-wheel or friction-pulley d and the casing s has been tightened by hand to hold the parts in the position shown in the lower half of Fig. 1, tension is applied to the web X. If the tension on the 'web is of the proper amount, the clutch-disk 36 .fioats between the bevel-gears 35, 39 without engaging either. Should the tension on the web become too great, the bar 9 is pressed downwardly. and in turn presses in the same direction the rocker-arm 5, thereby rocking ment sudden.

the rock-shaftn2 against the tension of the coil spring 15. This rocking 'of the shaft 2 throws upwardly the outer end of the rockerarm 4 and thereby pulls up the pitman or link-rod 17, compressing the coil-s ring 28 which, when its tension becomes su ciently great, throws upwardly the slide-block 23. The latter carries with it the stud-bolt 24- and the arm 49 cf the bell-crank lever-45, disengaging the spring-latch or detent 51 from the notch 50. The cam face on the free end of the latch 51 tends, after the dis engagement of the latter, to aid the upward throw of the arm 49 and to make the move- The bell-crank lever- 45- is thus rocked on its fulcrum and its other arm 46 is swung toward the driving shaft 38, thereby carrying the clutch-disk 36 into gear or mesh with the bevel-gear39. The former now rotates and drives the shaft 33 in the same direction as thedriving shaft 38 is rotating; and the shaft 33 turns the shaft 31 and the friction-controlling bar q, caus- The shaft 6 may now be removed.

ing relative. lengthwise movement between the latter and the hollow nut s, the friction between which and the brake-arm m keeps it from turning with the bar 4. The movement of the nut 8 along the bar q permits the brake-arms k, m to separate from each other at their lower ends with the result that the friction between them and the brake-wheel cl diminishes and the tension] on the web' X is reduced. If the tension on the web X falls below the proper amount, the spring 15 throws the outer end of the rocker-arm 3 upwardly and the outer end of the rocker-arm 4 and the link-rod 17 downwardly, thereby compressing the coil spring 27 and forcing slide-block 23 and the arm 49 downwardly. As before, the throw of the latter is aided and made abrupt by the cam face on the free end of the detent 51. The rocking of the bellcrank lever 45 in the opposite direction carries the clutch-disk to the left in Figs. 1 and 9 and into engagement with the idle bevel-gear 35, which is turning in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the bevel-gear 39-and its shaft 38. Hence, the clutch-disk will now be turned in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the latter and the lower ends of the brake-arms 7:, m will be moved toward each other, as will be readily understood without further explanation. Thus, the brake-wheel will be clamped more tightly and the frictional moment increased, resulting in an in cream of the tension on the web X. In the modified form shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the roll 61 is forced upwardly by an excessive tension acting upon the web X and carries with it the rocker-arms 60, thereby rocking the rock-shaft 54 and forcing upwardly the outer end of the rocker-arm 59' against the tension of the coil spring 15. The same rocking movement of the shaft 54 throws the lower end of the rocker-arm 55 to the left in Fig. 11 and thereby carries the clutch-block 52 into frictional engagement with the idle bevel-gear 58 and causes the former to turn in the same direction as the latter. Thus the shafts 33, 31 and the friction-controlling bar (7 are made to rotate an the same direction and this rotation of the bar 'q causes such a loosening of the casing s as will result in a decrease of the frictional moment act-ing on the shaft 7) and a lessening of the tension acting on the web vin Fig. 11 and the clutch-block .52 into frictional engagement with the fast bevel-gear 56. The latter is whirling in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the' idle bevel gear 58 and drives the clutchblock 52, shafts 33, 31 and the bar 9 in a direction to tighten the friction-controlling casing s and thereby to increase the tension acting upon the Web X. In the form shown in Figs. 1 to 10, both inclusive, the springlatch 51 and the coil springs 27, 28 act to make the movement of the bell-crank leversudden and abrupt, so that there may be no grinding and unduewear by reason of the slipping of the teeth of the clutch-disk 36 and that the engagement of the latter with the bevel-gears 35, 39 may be positive; but since a friction clutch is shown in the form illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12, there is -no need of the spring latch 51 and-the same is dispensed with. In Fig. 12 it matters not whether the shaft 70 on which is mounted the intermediate gear 44 or the shaft. 38 is taken as the driving shaft.

Due to various causes which it is unnecessary to mention herein, the tension act'- ing'. on one side of the web X will become greater than that acting on the opposite edge and it is, therefore, desirable that the web-supporting bar 9 should yield upon the,

side on which the tension is for the moment greatest. To permit this yielding movement, the bar 9 is mounted in the notch 10' of the rocker-arm 5 so that it is free to tilt or see-saw on the latter as a fulcrum. The loose fit of the ends of the bar 9 in the holes 8 in the ends of the hanger-arms 7.

(Fig. 10) lends itself to this tilting movement. Inv the form shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the springs 67 permit the web-supporting bar to yield at its ends for the same purpose.

I desire to be understood as not limiting myself to the exact structures herein shown and described, as modifications and variations thereof may, without departing from my invention, be made by persons skilled in this art.

I claim:

1. In a device for regulating thetension on a web of paper in a printing press,the combination of a rotary roll-supporting shaft from which the web is pulled; devices for retarding the rotation of said shaft and thereby increasing thetension of the web; means mounted free to move in response to variations of the tension of the Web; a driving mechanism; and a clutch mechanism connected with said devices and means and adapted to be thrown bythe latter into and out of -engagement with said driving mechanism; said clutch mechanism control ling said devices to maintain the tension of the Web uniform.

2. In a device for regulating the tension on a web of paper in'a printing press, the" combination of devices for placing the web under tension; means mounted free to move 1n response to variations in the tension, of

the Web; a driving mechanism having op positely rotating members; and a clutch 3. In a device for regulating the tension 7 on a web of paper in a printing press, the 4 combination of a rotary roll-supporting shaft from which the web is pulled; brake devices for retarding the rotation of said shaft and thereby increasing the tension of the Web; means mounted free to move in response to variations in the tension of the web; a driving mechanism; and a clutch member connected with said devices and means and adapted to be thrown by the latter into and out of engagement with said driving mechanism; said member controlling said devicestomaintain the tension of the web uniform.

4:. A web-tension controller for keeping constant the tension of a web, said controller having a rotary roll-supporting shaft from which the web is pulled; devices for retardin the rotation of said shaft and thereby increasing the tension of the web; a web-supporting mechanism mounted free to move in response to variations in the tension of the web; a driving mechanism; and a clutch member connected with said devices and web-supporting mechanism and adapted to be thrown by the latter into and outof engagement with said driving mechanism; said clutch member controlling said devices to maintain the tension of the web uniform.

5. In a device forregulating the tension on a web of paper in a printing press, the combination of a rotary roll-supporting shaft from which the web is p-ulled;-devicesv for retarding the rotation of said shaft and thereby increasin the tension of the web; a web supporting b in response to variations in the tension of the .w'eb; a driving mechanism; and a clutch member connected ,with said devices; and web-supporting bar and adapted to be thrown by the latter into and out of engagement with said driving mechanism said clutch member controlling said devices to maintain the tension of the web uniform.

ar mounted free to move 0 6. A web-tension controller for keeping I constant the tension of a web, said controller having a rotary roll-supporting shaft from which the web is pulled; devices for retarding the rotation of said shaft and thereby increasing the tension of the web; a spring-controlled web-supporting bar mounted free to move in response to variations in the tension of the web; a driving mecha-' nism; and a clutch member connected with said devices and web-supporting bar and adapted to be thrown by the latter into andout of engagement with saiddriving niechaj nism; said clutch member controlling said devices to maintain the tension of the web which is fulcrumed free to rock from side to side in response to inequalities in the tensions acting upon the lateral edges of the web; means for supporting said websupport, said means'being mounted free to respond to variations in the tensions of the I web; and mechanism connected with and controlled by said means for controlling said devices to maintain the tensions of the web uniform.

8. A web-tension controller for keeping constant the tension of a web, said controller having a rotary roll-supporting shaft,

from which the web is pulled; devices for retarding the rotation of said'shaft and thereby increasing the tension of the web; a Web-support over which the web travels; an

\ arm in which said web-support is supported and is free to rock from side to side in response' to inequalities in the tensions acting upon the lateral edges of the web; a'

rock-shaft which carries said arm and which is mounted free to rock in response to the variations in the tension of the-web; a driving mechanism; and means connected with and controlled by said rock-shaft and adapted to be thrown thereby into and out of engagement with said driving mechanism to control said devices and thereby to maintain the tension of the web uniform.

9. A web-tension controller for keeping constant the tension of a web, said cont-roller having a rotary roll-supporting shaft from which the web is pulled; devices for retarding the rotation of said shaft and thereby increasing the tension of the web; a web-support over ich the web travels; a rock-shaft which carries said web-support and which is mounted free to move in response to the variations .in the tension of the web; a driving mechanism; and a clutch member conhected with and controlled by said rock-shaft and adapted to be thrown thereby into 'and out of engagement with said driving mechanism to control said devices and thereby to maintain the tension of the web uniform.

10. A web-tension controller for keeping constant the tension of a web, said controller having a rotary roll-supporting shaft from which the 'Web is led; devices which apply frictional resistance to the rotation of said I shaft; rotary means for varying the frictional resistance applied to said shaft; a

clutch member which controls said rotary means; a driving mechanism; a web-support over which the web travels; and means controlled by said web-support for controlling said clutch member and throwing the same into and out of engagement with said driving mechanism to vary the frictional resistance exerted by said rotary means and thereby the tension of the web.

11. A web-tension controller for keeping constant the tension of a web, said controller having devices for placing the web under tension; a screw; a nut mounted on said screw; a casing with which said nut is inter.

locked and turns and within which said nut is mounted, said screw and nut serving to control said devices; a spring mounted in said casing between one end thereof and said nut, said casing being slidable with respect to said nut; means mounted free to move in response to variations in the tension of the web; and power-driven mechanism connected with and controlled by said'me'ans for turning said screw to malntain the tension of the web uniform.

12. A web-tension controller for keeping constant the tension of a web, said controller having devices for placing the web under tension; means mounted free to move in response to variations in the tension of the web; and mechanism which controls said devices to maintain the tension of the web uniform and which transmits to said devices energy other than that derived from variations in the tension of the web; said mechanism being connected with and controlled by said means and vsaid devices including a threaded shaft rotated by said mechanism and a nut on said shaft susceptible of manual adjustment 13. A web-tension controller for keeping constant the tension of a web, said controllerhaving devices for placing the web under tension; a web-support mounted free to move in response to variations in the tension of the web; rotary 'mechanism which actuates said devices to increase the'tension of the web and which transmits to said devices energy other than that derived from variations in the tension of the web; and means connected with and controlled by said websupport for reversing the direction of rotation of said mechanism and thereby decreasing the tension of the web.

14. A web-tension controller for keeping constant the tension of a Web, said controller having -a rotary roll-supporting shaft from which the web is pulled; devices for retarding the rotation of said shaft and thereby increasing the tension of the web; a web- I support mounted free to move in response to variations inthe tension'of the web; mechanism for actuating said devices; a driving mechanism; and means controlled by said web-support for throwing said mechanisms into and out of driving engagement with each other.

15. In a device for regulating the tension on a Web of paper in a printing press, the combination of a rotary roll supporting shaft from which the Web is pulled; devices for retarding the rotation of said shaft and thereby increasing the tension of the web; means mounted free to move in response to variations in the tension of the web; a driving mechanism having oppositely-rotating members; and a clutch member connected with said devices and means and adapted to be thrown by the latter alternately into and out of engagement with said driving mechanism; said clutch member controlling said devices to maintain the tension of the Web uniforms 16. A web-tension controller for keeping constant the tension of a web, said controller having a support; an arm adj ustably mounted thereon free to be moved lengthwise thereof; and a web-support'which is fulcrumed in said arm free to rock, the ends of said web-support being free to move in response to variations in the tension in the lateral edge portion of the web.

17. A web-tension controller for keeping constant the tension of a web, said controller having devices for placing the web under tension; a screw; a nut mounted on said screw; a casing with which said nut is interlocked and turns and within which said nut is mounted, said screw and nut serving to control said devices; and a spring mounted in said casing between one end thereof and said nut, said casing being slidable with respect to the latter.

18. In a device for regulating the tension on a web of paper in a printing press, the

' shaft from which the web is pulled; devices forretarding the rotation of said shaft and thereby increasing the tension of the web; means mounted free to move in response to the variations in the tension of the web; an energy source other than the web; and mechanism for varying the retarding action of said devices to maintain the tension of the Web ,uniform, said mechanism being connected with said devices and means and arranged to be thrown by the latter into and out of engagement with said energy source to transmit energy therefrom to said devices for varying the retarding action thereof.

19. In a device for regulating the tension on a web of paper in a printing press, the. combination of a rotary roll supporting shaft from which the web is pulled; devices for retarding the rotation of said shaft and thereby increasing the tension of the web; means mounted free to move in response, to variations in the tension of the web; an

combination of a rotary roll-supporting energy source other than the web, said so'urce being provided with oppositely moving members; and mechanism for varying the retarding action of said devices to maintain the tension of the web uniform, said mechanism being connected with said devices and means and arranged to be thrown by the lattern into and out of engagement with said oppositely-moving members for varying the \retarding action thereof.

above or below normal for varying the action of said retarding means in accordance with variations in the position of said mov-, able member.

21. The combination, in a tension regulator for printing presses and the like having a web-supply-roll shaft and a guide or compensating roll, of a movable member bearing on the web beyond the compensating roll and free to respond to variations in the tension of the web, mechanism including a driving means independent of the web-supply-roll shaft and brake mechanism connected thereto for retarding or permitting acceleration of the rotation of the web-supply-roll shaft, a controlling device in operative relation with the driving means for controlling the action of the same, and means for operating said controlling means by the movable member, said means occupying neutral or normal position when the Web is under proper workingqtension and movable out of said position to actuate the brake mechanism in response to changes in the ten sion of the web.

22. The combination, in a tension regulator for printing presses and the like having a web-supply-roll shaft and a guide or compensating roll, of a braking structure connected to the roll shaft, a brake shoe operative thereon, a driving mechanism operable independently of the web-roll shaft, means for operatively connecting said driving mechanism wit-h the brake shoe to vary the pressure exerted by said shoe upon the braking structure, a controller in operative relation. to said driving mechanism, and a movably mountedmember bearing upon the web beyond the compensating or guide roll and having a movable part arranged to be actuated by the tension of the web passing through the press for operating said controller, said last-named part of the controller occupying a neutral or normal position while the web is under proper working tension, and moving out of said position to actuate the brake mechanism in response to variations in the tension of the web.

23. The combination, in a tension regulator for, printing presses and the like having a compensating or guide roll, of a shaft for supporting a roll of paper, a braking structure thereon, a brake shoe operative on said structure, a lever operatively connected with said shoe, a movable nut connected with said lever, a screw shaft for changing the position of said nut to operate the lever, and a driving mechanism for operating said screw shaft, a controller in operative relation to said driving mechanism, and a pivotally mounted structure having one part supported by the web in the press beyond the compensating or guide roll and having another part operably connected to said controller, the last-named part of the structure occupying a neutral or normal position while the web is under proper working tension and movable out of said position to cause the brake shoe to respond to a variation in the tension of the web.

2d. The combination, in a printing press and the like having a web-supply-roll shaft, of a plurality of rolls beyond the same over which the web passes from the supply-roll, one of said rolls being'a compensating roll, a tension regulator comprising two arms turnable in unison about a common axis, one of said arms resting on the web beyond said compensating roll and being sensitive to and responsive to variations in the tension of the web, a controller located in operative relation to the other of. said arms, said lastnamed arm occupying a neutral or normal posit-ion so long as the web is under proper wonking tension and automatically responding to the movement of the companion arm caused by either an lncrease or decrease 1n the tension of the web, and a driving mechanism in operative relation with said controller and inoperative or inactive while the second-named arm is in its said neutral positionbut instantly rendered operative or active when said arm is moved in either direction therefrom, a-brake mechanism for the web-supply-roll shaft, and operating means therefor controlled by said driving mechanism and its controller.

25. In a tension regulator for printing presses having a, web-supply-roll shaft and a plurality of rolls uniting the same over which the web passes, one of said second named rolls being a compensating roll, said regulator including a rockable lever mechanism having one portion supported on the web beyond the compensating roll and being sensitive and responsive to variations in the tension thereon, a controller, said lever mechanism having a art maintained .in neutral or normal position while the web is under proper working tension and movable therefrom in one direction or the other in response to variations in the tension of the web passing against the other portion of the lever mechanism, a driving mechanism independent of the w-eb-supply-roll shaft and inactive or inoperative so long as the lever mechanism is in said position, but rendered operative or active when the lever mechanism is actuated relatively by change in the tension of the web, a braking mechanism for the supply-roll shaft, and means connecting the driving mechanism with the braking mechanism operating to increase or reduce pressure on the web-supply-roll shaft in response to changes in the tension of the web.

26. The combination, in a tension regulator for printing presses and the like having a compensating or guide roll, of a movable member having its free end supported on the web beyond the compensating roll and made sensitive and responsive to variations in the tension ofsaid web, a controller, a member connected to and responding in unison with fluctuations of said member, the latter occupying aneutral or normal position so long as the web is under proper working tension and movable either side of said position in response to web-tension charges, means for retarding the speed of rotation of the roll from which the web is supplied, and mechanism including a normally inactive or inoperative driving mechanism independent of the roll shaft and made active and quickly responsive to the movement of said movable member in either direction from its normal or neutral position for varying the retardation caused by said means in accordance with variatlons 1n the tension of the web.

27. In a tension regulator for printing y presses and the like having a compensating ing mechanism for automatically control- ,ling the tension of the web, said mechanism comprising a driving means independentrof the web-supply-roll sh aft,'a pivoted lever having one end supported on the web beyond the compensating roll, said lever belng sensitive and responsive to variations 1n the tension of the, web, an arm movable by mechanism therefor, of mecha-' the lever, in either direction from neutral or normal position, whereby the driving means is caused to actuate the brake mechanism in response to variations in the tension of the web, said arm normally occupying the neutral position in relation to -the driving mechanism, the latter being inactive or inoperative when the web is under proper nism for actuating the latter.

28. The combination, in a tension regulator for printing presses and the like having a web-supply-roll shaft, of a movable member mounted to be acted on by the web and free to respond to variations in the tension of said web, a controlling means actuated by said movable member, means for retarding the roll shaft, and driving means indepen ent of the web-supply-roll shaft and controlled by variations in the tension of the web above or below normal for varying the action of said retarding means in accordance with variations in the position of said movable member.

29. The combination, in a tension regulator for printing presses and the like having a web-supply-roll shaft, of a movable member bearing on the web and free to respond to variations in the tension of the web, mechanism including a driving means independent of the web-supply-roll shaft and brake mechanism connected thereto for retarding the rotation of the web-supplyroll shaft, a controlling mechanism in operative relation with the driving means for controlling the action of the same, and means for operatin said controlling mechanism by the movab e member, said controlling mechanism occupying its neutral or normal position when the web is under proper working tension and movable out'of said position to actuate the brake mechanism in response to changes in the tension of the web.

30. The combination, in a tension regulator for printing presses and the like having a web-supply-roll' shaft, of a braking structure connected to the latter, a brake shoe operative thereon, a driving mechanism operable'independently of the websupply-roll shaft, means for operatively connecting said driving mechanism with the brake shoe to vary the pressure exerted by said shoe upon the braking structure, a controller in operative relation to said driving mechanism and a movably-mounted member bearing upon the web and having a movable part arranged to be governed by the tension of the web passing through the press for operating said controller, said lastnamed part of the controller occupying its neutral or normal position while the web is under proper working tension, and m0vable out of said position to actuate the brake mechanism in response to variations in the tension of the web.

31. The combination, in a tension regula tor for printing presses and the like, of a shaft for supporting a roll of paper, a brak ing structure thereon, a brake shoe operative on said structure, a lever operat vely connected with said shoe, a movable nut con! nected with said lever, a screw shaft for changing the position of said nut to operate the lever, a drivin mechanism for operating said screw sha t, a controller in operative relation to said driving mechanism, and a pivotally-mounted structure having one part supported by the web and having another part operably connected to said controller, the: last-named part of the structure occupying a neutral or normal position while the web is under proper working ten sion and movable out of said position to cause the brake shoe to respond to a variation in the tension of the web. I

32. In a printing press and the like hav ing a web-supplyqoll shaft, a tension regulator comprising two arms turnable in unison about a common axis, one of said arms resting on the web and being sensitive and responsive to variations in the tension ofthe web, a controller located in operative relation to the other of said arms, said lastnamed arm occupying. a neutral or normal position so long as the web is under proper working tension and automatically responding to the movement of the companion arm caused by either an increase or decrease in the tension of the web, and a driving mechanism in operative relation with said con troller and inoperative or inactive while the second-named arm is in its said neutral position but instantly rendered operative or active when said arm is moved in either direction therefrom, a brake mechanism for the web-supply-roll shaft, and operating means therefor controlled by said driving mechanism and its controller.

33. A tension regulator for printing presses having a web-supply'roll shaft in-. cluding a rockable lever mechanism having one portion supported on the web and being sensitive and responsive to variations in the tension ,thereon, a controller, said lever mechanism having a part maintained in neutral or normal position while the web is under proper working tension and movable therefrom in one direction or the otherin response to variations in the tension of the web passing against the other portion of the lever mechanism, a driving mechanism independentof the web-supply-roll shaft and inactive or inoperative so long as the lever mechanlsmis in its said neutral positiombut rendered operative or active when the lever mechanism is actuated relatively by change i in the tension of the web a vbraking mechanism for the web-suppl -roll shaft, and means connecting the driving mechanism with the braking mechanism operating to increase or reduce pressure on the web-supp y-roll shaft in response to changes in the .tension of the web.

34. The combination, in a tension regulator for printing presses and the i e of a the'web after it passes said movable member having its free end sup- .ported on the web and made sensitive and responsive to variations in the tension of said web, a controller, a member connected to and responding in unison with .fluctuationsof said member, the latter occupying a neutral or normal position so long as the Web is under proper working tension and movable either side of said position in response to web-tension changes, means for retarding-the speed of rotation of the roll from which the web is supplied, and mechanismincluding a normallyinactive or inoperative driving mechanism independentof the roll shaft and made active and quickly responsive to the movement of said pivoted member in either direction. from its normal or neutral position for varying the retardation caused by said means in accordance with variations in the tension of the web.

35. In a' tension regulator for printing presses and-the like, the combination with the web-supply-roll shaft and braking mechanism therefor, of mechanism interposed between the web and braking mechanism for automatically controlling the tension of the web, said mechanism comprising a driving means independent of the web-supply-roll shaft, a pivoted lever having one end supported on the web, said lever being sensitive and responsive to variations in the tension of the web, an arm movable by the lever, in either direction from neutral or normal position, whereby the driving means is caused to actuate the brake mechanism in response-to variations in the tension of the web, said arm normally occupying its neutral position in relation to the driving mechanism, the latter being inactive or inoperative when the web is under proper working tension, and connections between the driving means and the braking mechanism for actuating the latter.

- 36. In a device for regulating the tension on a web of paper in a printing press, the combination with a web supply roll shaft, of a movable member mounted to be acted uponby the web and to be moved by said.

web in accordance with the tension on it, means for retarding or permitting the acceleration of the web roll shaft, means driven independently of said movable membar for operating said retarding means, and means operated by said movable member for controlling the action of the means which operates the retarding means.

37 In a device of the class described, the combination with a web supply roll shaft and a'guide or compensating roll, of a movable member mounted to be acted upon by guide or compensating roll and to move in accordance with the tension on the web, means for retarding -or permitting the acceleration of the web roll shaft, and means operated by said movable member for controlling the effective action of said retarding means.

38. In a device for regulating the tension on a web of paper in a printing press, the combination with a web supply roll shaft and a guide or compensating roll, of a movable member mounted to be acted on by the 7 web after it passes said guide or compensating roll and to be moved by said web in accordance with the tension thereon, means for retarding or permitting the acceleration of the web roll shaft, means driven independently of said movable member for operating said retarding means, and means operated by said movable member for controlling the effective action of the said independently driven means.

39. The combination, in a tension regulator-for printing presses and the like having a web supply roll shaft anda guide or compensatingroll, of a movable member bearing on the web beyond the compensating roll and free to respond to variations in the tension of the web, a braking structure on the roll shaft, a brake shoe operative thereon, a driving mechanism operableindependsently of the Web roll shaft, means for operatively connecting said drive mechanism with the brake shoe to vary the pressure exerted by said shoe on the braking structure, and means controlled by said movable I member for bringing into action said connecting mechanism. v

40. The combination in a tension regulator for printing presses and the like having a web supply roll shaft and a guide or compensating roll, of a movable member bearing on the web beyond the compensating roll and free to respond to variationsiin the tension of the'web, brake mechanism for retarding or permitting the acceleration of the shaft from which the web is supplied, means independent of the web and web roll shaft for operating said brake mechanism and means operated by said movable member for controlling the action of said brake operating means, the said means for controlling the operating means occupying normal or neutral position when the web is under "proper working tension and movable out of said position to cause the actuation of the brake mechanism in response to changes in the tension of the web.

41. The combination in a tension regula- .tor for printing presses and the like having a web supply roll shaft and a guide or compensating roll, of a movable member mounted to be acted on by the web after the same passes the guide or compensating roll and free to respond to variations in the tension of the web, means for retarding or permitting the acceleration of the roll shaft, driv-. ing means independent of the web roll shaft for actuating said retarding means, and

means actuated in accordance With the movements of said movable member to control the action of said driving means on said retarding means for varying the retardation or acceleration of the Web roll shaft in accordance with the variations in the tension of the Web above or below normal.

42. The combination in a tension regulator for printing presses and the like having a Web supply roll shaft and a guide or compensating roll, of a movable member mounted to be acted on by the Web after the same passes the guide or compensating roll and free to respond to variations in the tension of the Web, means for retarding or permitting the acceleration of the Web roll shaft, means independent of the Web or the Web roll shaft for actuating said retarding m ans and means-for controlling the effective action of said actuating means on said retarding means by and in accordance with the movement of said movable member to maintain the tension on the Web uniform.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand at said Plainfield this twenty-sixth day of October, A; D. 1909, in the presence of the two undersigned Witnesses.

IRVING A. HUNTING. 

